The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-07-07
TIE lIOLr-BASsELL AFFAIR.

The "Register's" Account Critioixed-Al
Cowarlly Correspondent.
To the Editor efa iattiitGenetr. as
SlR:-Haying resd the report both OF
the Register aud INTELLleENcER concern.
Ing the Bsssell and Holt affair, I am some.
what amazsd at the doubls.distilled effort
Of the correspondent to start lie with the
hope, l presume, that the truth might
never overtske it. I have waited for some
ono to contradict the prejudiced state.
ments, but having seen nothing from any
person in vindication Of the truth, and be.
Ing in possession OF the facts, 1 will pro.
coed to state them precisely as they are.
The beginning Of the difficulty waa in the
attack made on DR.. Holt before the Board
Of Directors by Mr.. Bassell, who in the
course Of his remarks, abiding to the Re.
publican, he styled DR.. Holt the fletcher.
GUS editor OF Z disreputable ehset." This
attack was made before DR.. Holt had ever
mentioned his name in any connection
whatever. Seeing the part that Mr.. Bas.
sell WAS playing, and as he had invited
controversy by his ungenerous attack he
accordingly got it in the next twoor three
Issues OF the Republican,, which riled the
chivalrous blood OF the so.called psaha,
hence his resort to hickory club to be
applied from the rear when the Doctor
was not aware OF his presence. This is
the gallant manner in which he made the
attack. After receiving a CHANGING blow
from the rear, Holt stepped back in the
street, drew his revolver, Bassell following
kt>,,r nt1 rvt Ainfa otr IL
cane, when the Deputy Sheriff appeared
on the scene and the affair was ended.
So far ss the term libelous article pub
lished against Mr.. Basel is concerned
I there is no grester ialsehood. challenge
the correspondent Of tho Rtgisterto lay his
finger on one sentence OF what has been
said OF Mr.. Basel by DR.. Holt that is false.
Do 80 over your signature. Come out like
man. Buehwhacking ia no. an honora-
bic mode OF warfare, neither is forgery.
Sign your own nsmo to your communica.
tionB and not forge the name OF reputs-
BILE young man to your ecurrilous conmu-
nlcations. II your case is SO desperate that
you have to reaort to forgery, you are
driven to terrible extremity. The proof
OF forgery Is abundant, as the article is
now in the hands OF Dr.. Holt. The hand.
willing is known by many. Tho truth is,
Dr.. Holt deserves the commentator Of
every good citizen in the State irrespective
Of party for the manly manner in which
he has conducted the whole asylum mat
ter, and sustaining every charge by unim-
peachable evidence; and II Governor
Wilson has made mistakes in his appoint
menss Of the Board of Directors 1t is the
duty OF DR.. Holt, as well as all other Jour
nglsts in the State, to show it up, and il
Mr.. Basaell comes in for share Of criticism
and if falsely accuaed he has the preas OF
the land with open columns to set himself
right. II be haa been villi6ed or slaudered
he has remedy in the courts. This
Guitesu business, this steslthy 5cowardly
effort 10 stab in the back is demons
work, and your, correspondent is Of the
opinion that the real agitators are stand
ing behind this tool, too cowardly to come
in range with their persons. P.
Z WESTON, ". "a, July 4. 7ii5g